The European Chess Union (ECU) held its first Board meeting following the elections conducted during the General Assembly in Bucharest in July 2026. The meeting took place via teleconference on 17 August 2026. ECU President warmly welcomed the newly elected Board members and formally marked the beginning of the new 2026–2030 administration.
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
The Board confirmed the structure of the new administration and proceeded with a series of key appointments and organisational decisions aimed at strengthening the ECU’s operational framework. Existing ECU officers and directors were reconfirmed in their respective positions.
Two new appointments were announced: Mr. Dobronauteanu was appointed as Youth Chess Director, and Ms. Rob was appointed Director of Strategic Projects. These appointments reflect the ECU’s commitment to youth development and long-term institutional growth.
The Board also resolved to formally address FIDE regarding press reports concerning the participation of Russian teams in the 46th Chess Olympiad. In light of the suspension of the Russian Chess Federation by a final decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), subsequently confirmed by the FIDE Council, the ECU considers any such participation to be incompatible with the FIDE Charter.
FINANCIAL REVIEW AND OPERATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
The Board reviewed the ECU Income Statement and was informed of forthcoming sponsorship contracts to be signed with Super Foundation and Sense Robot. Detailed announcements regarding these partnerships will be communicated in due course.
SUPPORT FOR EUROPEAN SENIOR CHESS
The Board accepted a generous donation of €30,000 from Mr. Evren Ucok, designated in its entirety to the support of senior chess activities in 2027. The ECU expresses its sincere gratitude for this contribution.
In further support of senior-level chess across the continent, the Board approved a financial contribution of €10,000 to each of the following championships:
- European Senior Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship — Monaco, 10–14 January
- European Senior Team Chess Championship — Acqui Terme, Italy, 23 April – 3 May
- European Senior Individual Chess Championship — Chotowa, Poland, July
The official invitations for the above events will be communicated in subsequent announcements.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHESS OLYMPIC AFFAIRS COMMISSION
The ECU Board approved the establishment of the Chess Olympic Affairs Commission (COA), a dedicated working structure designed to strengthen the ECU’s institutional alignment with the Olympic movement and to coordinate a common European approach among ECU member federations. The Commission will operate under the following mandate:
- Statutes and compliance: Propose amendments to ECU statutes, regulations, and governance practices where necessary to ensure alignment with the Olympic Charter and relevant IOC principles and rules.
- NOC membership mapping and coordination: Compile and maintain a structured overview of ECU member federations that hold membership in their respective National Olympic Committees (NOCs), including contact points and procedures, to support coordination and knowledge-sharing.
- Support pathway for federations: Provide guidance and practical support to ECU member federations not yet holding NOC membership, assisting them in understanding the requirements and developing a realistic pathway toward recognition, where applicable.
- European Games strategy: Define the strategic direction for chess participation within the European Olympic Games and European Youth Games ecosystem, with a focus on feasibility, regulatory compliance, and structured stakeholder engagement.
- Cooperation with the European Olympic Committees (EOC): Prepare and coordinate joint
- projects and institutional cooperation with the EOC and related partners, with clear objectives, governance structures, and measurable deliverables.
ECU COMMISSION CHAIRPERSONS APPOINTED FOR 2026–2030
The Board approved the ECU President’s proposal for the appointment of Chairpersons for all ECU Commissions for the 2026–2030 term. The following appointments were confirmed:
- Trainers Commission: Mr. Ivan Sokolov
- Educational Commission: Mr. Jesper Hall
- Women’s Commission: Ms. Eva Repkova
- Arbiters’ Commission: Mr. Takis Nikolopoulos
- Social Commission: Mr. Geert Bailleul
- Events Commission: Mr. Paris Klerides
- Olympic Affairs Commission: Mr. Håkan Jalling
OPEN CALL OF INTEREST: ECU AND FIDE COMMISSION PARTICIPATION
The ECU is pleased to announce an open call of interest for participation in ECU Commissions, as well as for ECU representatives to FIDE Commissions. Applications will be accepted until the end of September 2026. Further details regarding application procedures and eligibility criteria will be communicated in due course.
EUROPEAN QUALIFICATION FOR THE FIDE WORLD CADETS CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
The Board confirmed the qualification criteria for the FIDE World Cadets Chess Championship, to be held from 10–17 November 2026 in Batumi, Georgia. For each category — U10, U12, GU8, GU10, and GU12 — the six European nominees will be determined by the FIDE rating list for August 2026, with the six highest-rated players in each category qualifying for the event. Should the first-ranked player be unable to attend, the position will pass to the next highest-rated player, and so on.
Spanish Chess federation awarded the right to organize the European Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2028 in Madrid, Spain.